Part of owning a home means you will always have something to do. There are always going to be things to fix, things to update and little improvements that need to be done to make the home work a little better for your family and its needs. It is a source of pride for many homeowners to take care of these little jobs themselves. It gives you a feeling of accomplishment when you finally stop that door from squeaking or the one stair from creaking. Then there are the big jobs. The jobs where you turn to your phone book or the internet to find help from a professional. Electrical issues are one of those things that you will want to call a professional electrician. Glendale homeowners can rely on the experience of the team at The Electric Connection to take care of any electrical problems that arise.

It doesn’t matter if your home was built last year or fifty years ago, there are always going to be little things that need adjusting and fixing. It is part of the joy of home ownership. The property is yours to do as you will and that includes any all of the electrical components. An electrician in Glendale can help you with some of the more common electrical problems a homeowner will face.

This is a small sampling of some of the more common problems homeowners will face with their electrical. Time and regular use tends to wear down anything and your electrical components in the home are not immune. You can rely on a Glendale electrician to take care of the repairs quickly and safely. Cross them off your list and stick with the items that are not dangerous. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electrical repairs.

Are you still using incandescent light bulbs? Your electrician would recommend a different course. Efficient lighting technology has blown up in the last few years, and advanced technologies are just getting better. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are at the forefront of modern lighting thanks to their inexpensive and long-lasting luminescence. Some of these new diodes are leading the pack in must-have lighting features, including smart home integration that you can control with your phone. Read on to learn more about the latest in LED technology.

Upfront Costs are Dropping

One of the biggest complaints about early LEDs was the price. Almost any LED will save you money over time compared to an incandescent bulb, since they use 25 to 80 percent less electricity and can last up to 25 times as long, but many consumers balked at paying the $35 or higher retail price for a single bulb. Newer models, however, can recreate the look of that classic 60 watt incandescent bulb with fewer LED panels, meaning they are cheaper to produce and sell for $10 or less.

Options are Expanding

Other common complaints about the first LED models were that the warmth of the light wasn't quite right and they didn't work with accessories like dimmers. With today's technologies, however, you can find LEDs that give off almost any color and lighting profile, allowing you to mimic the look and feel of your old incandescent bulbs or tailor your room to fit more eclectic tastes. Not every LED is compatible with standard dimmers yet, but many are – just check the label on the box to make sure.

Make it a Smart Bulb

Many new LED models are designed specifically to work with smart technology. That means you can control them from your phone no matter where you are, set up a schedule for them to turn on and off, and even have different colors or light intensities at different times. Newer bulbs are also optimized to work with your other smart home systems to move you closer to a goal of integrated whole-house control.

Turnkey Functionality

One of the biggest advantages of upgrading to LEDs is how easy it is. There's no need to hire an electrician to set up new wiring or fixtures – the bulbs screw right into the pre-existing bases, out of the box. If you want tips on how to make the most of your new lighting options and create the room profile that fits your home, however, don't hesitate to call up your local electrician for guidance and advice.

Older homes have their charm, but as anyone living in one can tell you, they also come with more than their fair share of issues. Building and electrical codes have changed dramatically over the years, and our everyday electrical demands have continued to skyrocket. At Kolb Electric, we don’t want to discourage anyone from living in the home of their dreams.  That said, we do want people to be safe, so if you currently live in or are thinking of moving into an older home, here are some things you should be on the lookout for.

Electrical wires can function for a long time, especially if they haven’t been damaged and if the insulation hasn’t become brittle and flaked off. Even knob and tube wiring, an old standard for wiring that hasn’t been used in years, can still keep the lights on. Age does catch up with wiring eventually, however, and if the insulation fails, by becoming abraded, being chewed, or any number of other reasons, a short or electrical arc could start a fire.

Older homes often have wires surrounded with a spiral metal jacket. Metal-clad wires are still used today, especially in areas where the wire is exposed to potential damage. Armor-clad wires are distinct and do not have a separate ground wire within the metal sleeve, instead using the sleeve itself as the ground. As a result, for fire safety reasons, armor-clad wires are often barred in new construction.

If you can see obvious signs of a problem, including scorch marks on terminals in switches and outlets, missing or damaged insulation or any other signs that look potentially dangerous, you should call Kolb Electric for home rewiring before you expose your home to a live wire.

Restoring old chimneys and relining flues are common expenses of owning an older home. Here’s what happened: as coal started to become readily available, existing homes were retrofitted with central heating systems. Nowadays, most coal-fired systems have been converted or updated for oil or gas, but many are still vented into unlined chimneys. Where chimney liners are present, they are usually made of terra cotta and can rapidly deteriorate with higher-combustion, energy-efficient heating equipment.

When evaluating a heating system, make sure you consider its age, type, condition, and efficiency. For example, an old cast iron boiler may last a century or more, but updating to a more modern system can reduce your future heating and maintenance costs.

Old plumbing systems are notorious for being a mish-mash of old and new materials, especially as additions are added to the home or kitchens and bathrooms are remodeled. Iron and lead piping can become clogged with corrosion and mineral deposits, and typically need to be updated in sections. Cast iron piping is even worse, and can corrode from the inside, becoming thin, pitted, and cracked. Horizontal sections are usually the first to go—especially if chemicals drain cleaners containing sulfuric acid have ever been used.  Unless the home has already had repiping done, you can almost guarantee you’ll need to do it yourself.

Unless your roof is under 80 years old and / or is made of slate, you can bet it’s probably not original to the home. There are numerous types of roofing materials, all with unique life expectancies and maintenance requirements. Many older homes have multiple additions with roofs of different ages and types, so like the plumbing system, individual sections may need to be replaced.

If you’re moving into an older home, make sure you have it inspected thoroughly beforehand to make sure it’s safe. And if you need electrical maintenance in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric today!

Over the years standards for building homes have improved to offer more safety and reliability. Unfortunately, there are still homes out there with old electrical wiring in them that could cause electrical hazards. These old wiring types (knob and tub wiring) should be replaced as they can result in extensive damage to your home over time if not properly taken care of. Know what to look for in your home and upgrade your wiring.

There are several common signs that can indicate your home’s wiring may be old and out-dated. If you notice these issues occurring in your home, it may be time to contact an electrician and have a home electrical inspection. Common signs are:

Knob and wiring tubing can be found in homes built around 50 years ago. If properly maintained, knob and wire tubing can be safely used in your home. But often over the years the wiring can begin to crack and break down leading to exposed wires. Because of the age of the wiring it often will not reach current code and can prevent your home from being insured in some cases. Overtime knob and wire tubing can heat up and requires sufficient air space around the wiring. Any contact with insulation or wood can result in a fire.

In some cases you could experience some of the issues listed above and you don’t have knob and wire tubing. In many cases, when a home was originally built it was brought up to correct standards and has potential hazards all over. If you are unsure of the status of your home’s electrical wiring or you are experiencing some of the signs listed above, we highly recommend that you have you’re home inspected. An electrical inspection can catch potential hazards and also lead to better electrical efficiency.

To schedule a home inspection, contact your local Expert Electric at 604-681-8338.